The hosts speak in ominous tones and the callers use words like "choke," "freefall" and "meltdown" to describe the current state of affairs in Yankees Universe.

Nonsense. It's just a pennant race.

An entire generation of Yankee fans have been spoiled by a team that has won five World Series in 16 years and made the playoffs every year but one since 1995

AP photoCaptain Derek Jeter will lead the Yankees to another Al East title, but it just may take a little longer this year, says our Bombers blogger.

Entering today's play the slumping, yes, slumping Bombers are in first place (75-56), two games up on the charging Baltimore Orioles (73-58) with 31 games to play. The third-place Tampa Bay Rays, who had been white-hot, are now ice cold and trail the Yanks by 4 1/2 games, five in the loss column.

People forget that the Yankees played closed to .700 ball in June. You knew that couldn't continue. They've essentially played .500 ball over the past 40 games, some without their ace, CC Sabathia, all without their No. 2 starter, Andy Pettitte.

The bench players who excelled for a time have cooled.

But that's OK. It's all part of a very long 162-game season.

The Bombers still have the second best record in the American League.

If they win today and tomorrow {and I think they will, I like the pitching matchups), the Yanks will be four up on the Birds -- and at least 5 up in the loss on Tampa, with just 29 games to play.

Should they lose the next two? Well, then it's a whole new ballgame -- but the Yanks still have the easiest remaining schedule of the AL East combatants.

And of course, there are four big games with the Birds next weekend at Yankee Stadium South.

The bottom line? The Yanks built a cushion -- and it's a good thing -- because with all the injuries, they needed every bit of it.

And now that cushion is gone.

So starting today, it's time for the Yanks to start playing some baseball and salt away the AL East.

And if you just have a little patience, that's exactly what they're going to do.